car seats for CPS agents?

robbertbobbert · Nov 30, 2010

So I'm about to graduate from college in May, and I have to do a mandatory internship in my field once I graduate. I'll likely end up at CPS or DCFS (a lot of the other internship programs are being cut due to the economy) and I was wondering about car seats.

I have several friends who've done the same internships and they said they all ended up buying their own seats for emergency pickups (most families didn't use seats at all or had unacceptable ones) and transporting for custody visits because it was easier to have your own and know how to install them and not have to show up at the office and find out that all the agency ones were in use.

We don't get a budget allowance for seats, but I'm actually really stoked to buy some because that means I can keep them and use them on my nanny kids too. I was just wondering which seats I should get. I have no way of knowing the age/weight/gender of the kids I'll be getting ahead of time, so I need a few.

Since I'm paying out of pocket I was thinking a scerena, a maestro (any other suggestions instead of this one?), and a HB Turbo, I already have a LB Turbo, so I think I'd be covered. I do want to stay relatively low-budget because I'm paying out of pocket.

Any other ideas?

Starlight · Nov 30, 2010

Since they'd be for short term use, and you'd want to keep them in the car at all times, I'd go for a backless booster and something w/ a no rethread harness and extended harness weight for quick and easy use. You're not necessarily going to have the time to sit the child in the seat, measure, rethread, install, etc, when the parents are going haywire that you're taking their kid. You're not likely to have to drive the kids for too long, as it'll just be too your office, an emergency shelter or foster home, so a backless wouldn't be too bad here. The only concern would be if you had multiple children of similar ages.

(As a foster parent, I've picked up most of my kids with less than an hours notice and generally in a fast food parking lot - I pick a seat, adjust the straps as best I can guess, and hope for the best. I can change things up more when we get home, and the kid is in bed or settled w/ some toys.)

robbertbobbert · Nov 30, 2010

I actually just thought about that. Any suggestions for lower cost no rethread ones? Or ideas on where to find better deals on the moderately-priced ones?

From my understanding (from what my experienced friends have told me), in a situation where you have multiple similarly aged children, you either make do with what you can (put a 4 year old in a HBB and lock the seatbelt or something) or wait for another agent or a police officer/firefighter to get another seat. It's less than ideal, but I'd rather do that than risk using inappropriate seats.

Also, the backless I have is in a really adorable girls pattern, but I may need to get a different color to be more gender neutral. Or, you know, the kids can suck it up and sit in the seat anyway.

ctbcleveland · Nov 30, 2010

The evenflo triumph advance has a no-rethread harness and costs around $100.00 right now at wal-mart.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-T...0000003260330&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10745680

I believe they are starting to clearance these because they have a 35 lb RF weight limit versus the 40 RF weight limit of the Triumph 65.

I've seen the same price on Amazon recently, but not today.

The true fit also has a no-rethread harness, but it is a bit more $.

Baylor · Nov 30, 2010

ctbcleveland said:
The evenflo triumph advance has a no-rethread harness and costs around $100.00 right now at wal-mart.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-T...0000003260330&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10745680

I believe they are starting to clearance these because they have a 35 lb RF weight limit versus the 40 RF weight limit of the Triumph 65.

I've seen the same price on Amazon recently, but not today.

The true fit also has a no-rethread harness, but it is a bit more $.

I had that seat and it was so easy.. No matter what child was in it.
It is awesome to see you working this out BEFORE you need them.

LISmama810 · Nov 30, 2010

Yeah, Triumph Advance sounds good, and then maybe a high-back TurboBooster that could be used with or without the back as appropriate.

ketchupqueen · Nov 30, 2010

If the Triumph Advance's knobs give you problems (like they hit weird on your car's curves) I'd consider as an alternative the True Fit too.

babyherder · Nov 30, 2010

I'd get a scenera cause it rf longer than the EFTA and is cheap. I might wait until the 40lb scenera are no longer a Target exclusive and hopefully the price will be lower. I love love love the TB. I recommend the airplane pattern. If you want another backless you could go with the harmony lite rider. The TB can be narrow for older kids.

Starlight · Nov 30, 2010

you're not going to be rear facing an upper 2 or 3 yr old child in this scenerio.

babyherder · Nov 30, 2010

I would try to rf even older kids. I always try to rf. But if it doesn't happen in this situation I understand.

lorismurph · Nov 30, 2010

I'd go for the Triumph. It fits newborns well, my 18mo is RF in mine now, my 3 1/2yo still fits RF in it and my 6yo still fits FF in it. Yes, the knobs are a pain but I chose to work around them and just deal with it (I got a closeout sale and killer price on mine).
Then you could do the Harmony Literider from walmart ($13.50) or even 2 of them since they are cheap.

Jan06twinmom · Nov 30, 2010

If you are anywhere near Fresno, CA, I have an old style Evenflo Triumph that you can have. It only has about 9 more months of use before it expires.

Melanie

Maedze · Nov 30, 2010

Starlight said:
you're not going to be rear facing an upper 2 or 3 yr old child in this scenerio.

How about obese younger babies/children? 35 pound 11 month olds are rare, but not unheard of...

OP, at any given time is it possible that you could be taking as many children would legally fit in your back seat? In other words, should you have more than one harnessed seat?

In your shoes, I might grab a Cosco High Rise or Harmony LiteRider (both inexpensive and well-fitted backless boosters), two 40 lb Sceneras, and a Maestro. You can keep the extras in your trunk when not in use, right?

Total cost just under 200 dollars.

abacus2 · Nov 30, 2010

I think a Triumph Advance and a high back Turbo would be a good combination of seats to have.

Starlight · Nov 30, 2010

Not unheard of, but not likely. But then, I've had 2 50+ lb 2 yr olds, so it might depend. Both of those kids were NA, and I know many others in my region who have fostered kids of similar size and age who were also NA.

Lea_Ontario · Nov 30, 2010

Maedze said:
In your shoes, I might grab a Cosco High Rise or Harmony LiteRider (both inexpensive and well-fitted backless boosters), two 40 lb Sceneras, and a Maestro. You can keep the extras in your trunk when not in use, right?

This sounds like a very good suggestion.

robbertbobbert · Nov 30, 2010

Jan06twinmom said:
If you are anywhere near Fresno, CA, I have an old style Evenflo Triumph that you can have. It only has about 9 more months of use before it expires.

Melanie

I'm near Seattle, WA, so unfortunately that wouldn't work, but I really appreciate the offer!

It's quite possible that I'll have as many children as I can legally fit, which is where we run into another problem. I have a 98 escort, so the backseat isn't giant and the center is lap belt only. I think getting the LiteRider would be great because it's narrower, isn't it?

I have two upper anchor things that the dealership installed this summer, so I'm happy to be covered there.

I'm glad to be figuring this out ahead of time so I can set aside money for when the time comes or if I find a good deal. Also, it's great to have such an experienced knowledge base to ask!

Also, BRU lets you take seats out to your car to try them out, right? Would they have the triumph there?

Kobain's Mommy · Dec 1, 2010

Compleat Airs have no re-thread harnesses as well. They seem to go on sale at ToysRus/BabiesRus or you could use a 20% OFF coupon.

An Aurora · Dec 1, 2010

babyherder said:
I'd get a scenera cause it rf longer than the EFTA and is cheap.

Are you talking about the 40lb Sceneras? If so, it's extremely unlikely that a 40 pound child would fit in a Scenera RF. I used the EFTA for my foster kids and loved that it was easy to adjust--when we foster again next year, it will be at the top of my list for ease of adjust and easy install.

Maedze said:
How about obese younger babies/children? 35 pound 11 month olds are rare, but not unheard of...
.

My first placement was a 33lb 11 month old (and I had my 16lb 11.5 month old so it was a big shock). A 40lb weight limit would be fantastic, just in case.

emtb79 · Dec 1, 2010

My BRU was trying to push out the "old" complete airs to make more room for the ones that go up to 65lbs so they were at a decent price.

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